Narla

Tags: Addiction Withdrawal
For 30 years I've been addicted to alcohol and 20 years addicted to codeine, I now have liver problems at age 47 and have to quit both immediately. My doctor is helping with weekly visits and low doses of Ducene/Vallium,How long do I have to live with the nausea,sleeplessness and the feeling of crawling and itching under the skin,I was taking 18 to 24 Analgesic/calmatives a day containing 500mg Paracetamol,10mgs Codeine and 5.1mg doxylamine succinate, I was also drinking 3 to 4 bottles of Bacardi Rum per week, I'm also on 200 mg of Zoloft per day to treat depression and panic disorder which can't be stopped, any ideas out there. My substance abuse was my way of dealing with the sexual abuse which occurred from the age of 7 to 10 perpertrated by my brother who was 10years older than me.

[narla]

I did have counselling after my daughter was born as it brought back many memories, but nothing seems to keep the memories away except fogging the brain with alcohol and codeine, so this is also one of my struggles.Ducene is just another name for vallium I live in Australia so I wasn't sure what it's called in other places,Doxylamine succinate is a calmative added to the paracetamol & Codeine pills which is available over the counter in Australia,no prescription needed.

[salsinator]

Morning/evening Narla,  I am sorry for your abuse.  You are in the right place if you want to quit drinking and pill taking.  I will be clean from alcohol and opiate 100 days tomorrow - it can be done.  By working wih your doctor, you are in my opinion taking the best course of action.  Therapy, posting on this site, and even AA/NA meetings will help too.  I am familiar with the meds that you are taking and valium is commonly used for withdrawal - both alcohol and opiates.  Your alcohol consumption is pretty high, I was using 2-3 liters of vodka per week and when I decided to quit, I did not have that rough of a time, but I was on some significant doses of valium for about 10 days and I know that helped.  Another medication that physicians will use or withdrawal to the codeine/opiates is clonidine - that is typically for blood pressure.  

Where are you located in Australia?  I used to be married to an Aussie - from Melbourne.  I am in the US, but love your country.  

Try to completely abstain from all alcohol - by doing that first, you can focus on the withdrawl (withdrawal) from the codeine and you will start to feel better sooner.  Once you completely stop the codeine and alcohol, it will take 3-5 days of complete abstinence before the withdrawal will start to subside.  Once you are to this point, you will start to feel better.  Try and eat well, drink plenty of water, and get some exercise.  Hot baths will help with the muscle cramps.  The Doxylmine succinate will help with sleep - as will the valium.  It will also help with the restlessness.  Keep posting, there are lots of people here to support you in your recovery.  Congratulations!

[TakingAction]

Australia is beautiful.

You can do this now, because you have a good reason to.  Sometimes it takes a scare to put us straight.  It is very good that you are working with your doctor.  This will not be a comforatable experience, but so worth it.

Stopping the drinking will give you almost immediate benefits.  The alcohol has left you chronically dehydrated and poisoned.  Soon after you stop, you will feel better in some ways.  Not to minimize the pains of withdrawl (withdrawal), but it gets easier faster with alcohol than the pills.  hang in there and keep posting.

You got this!

Matt

[narla]

Thank you for your comments I understand it will get better I just wish it would happen quicker I'm sick of looking at the Vallium sometimes and thinking taking all of them could be the answer to everything,but then I remember I have a wonderful 7 month old grandson and all negative thoughts disappear.

[RoxiMan2009]

Don't think like that. Your right, you do have a 7 month old that loves you and needs you in his life. This is a perfect reason for you to get back in shape. It will be a long road to take but everyday gets better and I promise you that for me the drugs just increase the depression in the long run. You don't need them. Once your getting sober, you can look forward to that every single day will be a better day then the last and I know you can do it. We are all here to help you and there are wonderful people on here that do care about you and your grandson. I am also sorry for what you had to endure as a child. I am speechless and can only pray you are able to overcome your past and move positively forward with your life.